Drooling
Alternative names:
drool; salivation excessive; increased salivation; excessive
salivation
Definition:
Saliva flowing outside the mouth.
Considerations:
Drooling is usually due to excess production of saliva,
inability to retain saliva within the mouth or problems with
swallowing.
There is always a potential in those who have a drooling problem
to inhale into the lungs saliva, food, or fluids. However,
this is unlikely unless the body's normal defense mechanisms
(gagging and coughing)
are damaged by poisons or disease.
Common causes:
There are no common causes of drooling in adults.
Drooling in young infants is normal and is highly unlikely
to be associated with complications.
Possible causes (older children and adults):
Diseases
Environmental
- envenomation (snake
bite or scorpion sting)
- esophageal injury
- foreign body in the esophagus or airway
- pesticide poisoning
- rabies
- tetanus
Drugs
Other causes of drooling in children
Note: There may be other causes of drooling. This list is
not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order
of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely
diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary
based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as
on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location,
quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors,
and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option
to explore the possible explanations for drooling, occurring
alone or in combination with other problems.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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